[ LETTER ]

Following the Car in Front of You Costs, Gives Money to Lakeland

Published: Monday, November 26, 2012 at 1:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, November 26, 2012 at 1:01 a.m.

Lakeland is going to get more red-light cameras. Besides sharing the cost to install, they also share the money collected by fines. We recently got a citation for violating Florida Statute 316.0895, following too closely. That's $164 that Lakeland doesn't have to share, and it's close to a red-light ticket fine.

The statute reads "The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon, and the condition of, the highway." There is no other guide to determine what is too close.

Our citation was issued on U.S. 98 North with a speed of 46 mph. A time of 1.39 seconds separated the cars. The issuing officer said two seconds would have been OK. That's in the Florida Driver's manual also. I did the math and we were 5.8 car lengths behind the car we were supposedly following too close.

Lakeland could write tickets all day long using this statute because two seconds means the separation should have been about eight car lengths at 46 mph. Think about it, on U.S. 98 North?

To argue in court that we were reasonable and prudent probably won't result in a dismissal. More than likely court costs would be added and points are included in a moving violation. If we're lucky the insurance company won't raise our premium. Wait a second, Florida could also ask for money based on the points. I don't think they do, yet. All from following too close or so they say.

<p>Lakeland is going to get more red-light cameras. Besides sharing the cost to install, they also share the money collected by fines. We recently got a citation for violating Florida Statute 316.0895, following too closely. That's $164 that Lakeland doesn't have to share, and it's close to a red-light ticket fine.</p><p>The statute reads "The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon, and the condition of, the highway." There is no other guide to determine what is too close.</p><p>Our citation was issued on U.S. 98 North with a speed of 46 mph. A time of 1.39 seconds separated the cars. The issuing officer said two seconds would have been OK. That's in the Florida Driver's manual also. I did the math and we were 5.8 car lengths behind the car we were supposedly following too close.</p><p>Lakeland could write tickets all day long using this statute because two seconds means the separation should have been about eight car lengths at 46 mph. Think about it, on U.S. 98 North?</p><p>To argue in court that we were reasonable and prudent probably won't result in a dismissal. More than likely court costs would be added and points are included in a moving violation. If we're lucky the insurance company won't raise our premium. Wait a second, Florida could also ask for money based on the points. I don't think they do, yet. All from following too close or so they say.</p><p>Lakeland, save your money and go with a real money maker, enforcing Florida Statute 316.0895.</p><p>K.J. NELSON</p><p>Lakeland</p>